What does “Great cry and little wool.” mean?
"Great cry and little wool" means that someone who makes a lot of noise or fuss over something may not have much substance or importance behind it.
What context can I use the in?
Example
He talked a big game about his accomplishments, but when it came down to it, there was great cry and little wool. He didn't have much to show for all his boasting.
Example
The politician made a lot of promises during his campaign, but once elected, there was great cry and little wool. He didn't follow through on his commitments.
Example
The company's marketing campaign was flashy and attention-grabbing, but when it came to the actual product, there was great cry and little wool. It didn't live up to the hype
Is “Great cry and little wool.” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Great cry and little wool.” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Great cry and little wool.” effectively in context?
You can use "Great cry and little wool" to describe a situation where someone or something appears impressive or important on the surface, but lacks substance or fails to deliver on their promises. For example, if a friend is bragging about their new business venture, but you suspect they may not have much to show for it, you could say, 'Don't be fooled by all the talk, there might be great cry and little wool.'
- 1Personal Achievements
He talked a big game about his accomplishments, but when it came down to it, there was great cry and little wool. He didn't have much to show for all his boasting.
- 2Politics
The politician made a lot of promises during his campaign, but once elected, there was great cry and little wool. He didn't follow through on his commitments.
- 3Product or Service
The company's marketing campaign was flashy and attention-grabbing, but when it came to the actual product, there was great cry and little wool. It didn't live up to the hype.
Similar phrases to “Great cry and little wool.”:
Smoke and mirrors
Deceptive or misleading tactics or appearances
Example
The politician's speech was full of smoke and mirrors, promising change but offering no concrete plans.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Great cry and little wool.” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Great cry and little wool" is unknown.
Is “Great cry and little wool.” common in everyday conversation?
The phrase "Great cry and little wool" is not very common in everyday conversation. It is more often used in formal writing or discussions to convey the idea of something being superficial or lacking substance.
What tone does “Great cry and little wool.” have?
"Great cry and little wool" conveys a tone of skepticism or criticism. It suggests that appearances can be deceiving and encourages people to look beyond the surface to assess the true value or importance of something.
Can “Great cry and little wool.” be used in informal and formal settings?
The phrase "Great cry and little wool" is more commonly used in formal settings, such as academic or professional discussions, rather than in casual or informal conversations. It is a figurative expression that requires some explanation or context to be fully understood.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
The phrase "Great cry and little wool" is typically used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'Despite all the hype, the product turned out to be great cry and little wool.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'There's often great cry and little wool in the world of advertising.' to imply the concept of superficiality.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- all talk and no action
- hollow promises
- superficial appearance
- empty words
- false pretenses
Antonyms
- actions speak louder than words
- substance over style
- delivering on promises
- genuine and meaningful
- true value
